Novena of the Precious Blood: Day 5

Jun 4, 2018

Deacon Matthew Keller, C.PP.S., will be ordained to the priesthood on June 9. In preparation for his ordination, he asks that we join him in praying the Novena of the Precious Blood written by the late Fr. Ernest Ranly, C.PP.S.

Day five: Jesus Sheds Blood in the Crowing of the Thorns

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening Prayer

O God, our heavenly Father, out of love for the human family, you willed your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, to be our Redeemer through the shedding of his blood.

Blessing and thanksgiving be evermore to Jesus.

Who with his blood has saved us.

We give you thanks for the gift of our Lord’s blood, which he shed until the last drop for our salvation. May the blood of Jesus, shed for us, purify us and protect us from all evil.

In the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, we drink the blood of the new and eternal covenant. May it give us peace and may it unite us with all the human family, especially with the poor and the marginalized.

May the Precious Blood of Jesus become for us the blood of life, of unity and of peace. May this mystery of love and grace fill our hearts with the Holy Spirit. United with the Blood of Christ, may we participate with Christ in the work of redeeming our world of today.

Praise to the blood of Jesus.

Now and forever. Amen.

Presentation

“The soldiers led him away inside the palace, that is, the praetorium, and assembled the whole cohort. They clothed him in purple and, weaving a crown of thorns, placed it on him. They began to salute him with, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ and kept striking his head with a reed and spitting upon him. They knelt before him in homage. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the purple cloak, dressed him in his own clothes, and led him out to crucify him.” (Mark 15: 16-20)

Reflection

The process of the physical and psychological torture of Jesus continues. In the crowning with thorns, blood flows copiously from the head and countenance of Jesus. The cruelty of the Roman troops knows no limits. They ridicule Jesus not only because he is a king but because he is a Jew. Pilate questioned Jesus: “Are you the king of the Jews?” Jesus, without denying his identity and maintaining his dignity, answered: “My kingdom is not of this world.”

The psychological violence perhaps causes more pain than the physical violence. Caricatures, insults, jokes against our brothers and sisters are a type of violence, an example of spilling of their blood.

Meditation

“Though he was in the form of God, he did not deem equality with God something to be grasped at. Rather, he emptied himself and took the form of a slave, being born in the likeness of men. He was known to be of human estate, and it was thus that he humbled himself, obediently accepting even death, death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:6-8)

Resolutions

Never look down on anyone for reasons of race, for color of skin, for a different culture, for one’s social class or religion.

To pray that the leaders of the world promote laws that respect the rights of all persons.

To recognize Jesus, crowned with thorns, as my true king: eternal and universal king, king of truth and life, king of sanctity and grace, king of justice, of love and of peace.

Final prayer

Eternal Father, we offer you the Precious Blood of Jesus shed in the crowning with thorns. Make all creation, liberated from the slavery of sin, serve your majesty, and glorify you without end. Grant to all peoples the gift of peace and unity. Help us to recognize the thorn-crowned Jesus in those who suffer because of race, religion, or color of their skin. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen